Falguni Nayar: Not Resting On Her Laurels

Often described as an Indian billionaire businesswoman, Falguni Nayar has the distinction of being a self-made success. The former investment banker quit her job to become an online retailer over a decade ago. In her words, she was pursuing a dream, strong enough to leave behind a 25-year-old successful career.

This dream, Nykaa, which leveraged India’s growing beauty sector and the rise in ecommerce, has today become an enviable blockbuster story. The company not only sells brands online but also has more than 100 physical stores across India, a number it is keen to grow in the year ahead. When Nayar took Nykaa public in 2021, she not only became India’s richest female entrepreneur but also opened the doors to the next level of the company’s growth.

In the last year, Nykaa took its first steps to eye international markets. It took its brands to the US, UK and also to markets like Mauritius. The Nykaa House of Brands is a portfolio of around 10 in-house brands including Nykaa Naturals, Nykaa Cosmetics and Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty. Last year the company also brought the haircare brand Anamoly to India along with Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Even as Nayar is grooming the next level of leadership in the company, her foresight is strengthening the company’s foundation as can be seen in its consistent year-on-year growth.